The prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in infertile men appears to vary between populations and countries. A low sperm concentration was a predictive factor (P < 0.05) for identifying microdeletions in infertile males. A threshold for genetic testing of 0.5 million/mL would increase the specificity and lower the relative cost without adversely affecting the sensitivity. The rate of SSR was lower than that previously described in the literature.

BackgroundBariatric gastric bypass surgery is being increasingly performed, but endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in these patients poses a unique challenge because of a lack of per-oral access to the stomach. Small series suggest a higher technical success rate using laparoscopy-assisted ERCP (LA-ERCP) than with an enteroscopic approach via the Roux-en-Y anastomosis. We present initial experience of LA-ERCP in our unit.DesignRetrospective case series of consecutive patients undergoing LA-ERCP in our unit between September 2011 and July 2014. Data was retrieved from electronic, clinical and endoscopy records.ResultsSeven LA-ERCPs were performed. All seven patients were female, with median age 44 years (range 36–71). Indications included symptomatic bile duct stones (5/7), benign papillary fibrosis (1/7) and retained biliary stent (1/7). 5/7 (71%) patients had had a prior cholecystectomy. To facilitate LA-ERCP, laparoscopic gastrostomy ports were created in all patients. Duodenal access, biliary cannulation and completion of therapeutic aim were achieved in all patients. 6/7 (86%) patients required endoscopic sphincterotomy. The median duration of procedures was 94 min (range 70–135). Median postoperative length of stay was 2 days (range 1–9). One patient developed mild postprocedural acute pancreatitis, and another patient developed a mild port-site infection. Otherwise, no procedure-related complications were seen. All patients remained well on follow-up (median 14 months (range 1–35) from date of ERCP), with no evidence of further biliary symptoms.ConclusionsOur early experience of LA-ERCP is that it is safe and effective. The technique may require particular consideration, as bariatric surgery is increasingly performed, in a patient group at significant risk of bile duct stones.

We have examined the anatomy of the pelvic (inferior hypogastric) plexus in six male cadavers, paying particular attention to gross anatomical landmarks that might aid in locating it and have used immunohistochemistry to study the small branches of the plexus that supply the prostate gland. The pelvic plexus was found two finger breadths lateral to the third anterior sacral foramina, lying deep to a line drawn from third sacral vertebra, the conventional level of the recto-sigmoid junction, and the palpable posterior superior surface of the pubic symphysis. Immunohistochemical staining showed small nerve branches from the pelvic plexus entering the prostate gland and the presence of ganglia within the prostate gland that contained both tyrosine hydroxylase positive and negative neuronal cell bodies. This information may be useful in nerve-sparing surgical procedures and in discussions of the functional implications of perturbations of prostate innervation.